Teachers Union Blasts LIFO Petition
To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
The city's teachers union says the Department of Education went too far in its quest to end the controversial "Last In, First Out" teacher layoff policy.
This, after the DOE circulated a petition encouraging parents to support the city's efforts to abolish the law.
In it, the petition asks parents for their help in making sure the city is allowed to keep its most effective teachers based on performance and not just seniority.
The United Federation of Teachers fired off a cease and desist letter to the state, claiming the city is breaking a law that prohibits public employees from pushing a partisan political agenda.
"Just the idea that this is what the mayor is now trying to do, it just shows...it's just kind of ironic that the Department of Ed is the party doing it. Because these rules and laws were put into effect because of people like the Tweed Courthouse politicians, who would use their employees to do this type of work," said UFT President Michael Mulgrew.
The DOE admitted it was inappropriate for employees to circulate the petition and will make sure its staff understands their responsibilities and appropriate standards they must adhere to.
Neither the mayor nor the schools chancellor knew about the petition.